ABSTRACT
@#Abstract: Objective To investigate the molecular characteristic and evolutionary trends of full-genome sequences of coxsackievirus A2 (CV-A2) and A5 (CV-A5) in Changsha City. Methods The CV-A2 and CV-A5 strains were isolated and detected from patients with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases. The full-genome sequences of CV-A2 and CV-A5 strains were obtained using NGS sequencing. Homology and phylogenetic tree analysis were performed, and the recombination regions of the strains were examined by SimPlot software. Results The full-genome sequences of CV-A2 and CV-A5 strains were obtained from routine surveillance cases of HFMD in Changsha in 2019. The CV-A2 strain was named S281/Changsha/CHN/2019 with the full-genome sequence of 7 422 bp long; the CV-A5 strain was named S272/Changsha/CHN/2019 with the full-genome sequence of 7 425 bp long. Homology analysis of the isolates by comparison with the nucleic acid sequences of CV-A2 and other CV-A2 strains in China showed that the non-structural protein region shared lower similarity than that of structural protein region. The CV-A2 showed 79.20% similarity with Fleetwood strain (NC038306), showed the highest similarity 95.60% with MN419014 strain from Hubei Province. The non-structural protein 3C and 3D region shared the lowest similarity with MN419014, 90.51 and 92.06%, respectively. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that 3C and 3D regions were located in the CV-A4 branch. Amino acid mutation sites were found in non-structural protein region, and the amino acid sequence in structural protein region was conserved. SimPlot analysis showed that genetic recombination was found in the 3C and 3D region of CV-A2 strains. The full-genome sequence of CV-A5 showed 80.7% similarity with the Swartz (AY421763) and 97.43% similarity with the strain (MH111030) from Australian. Homology analysis showed that the non-structural protein region shared lower similarity than that of structural protein region, based on full-genome of CV-A5. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that CV-A5 and MH111030 were in the same branch, indicating that CV-A5 strain not from local. The amino acid sequence of CV-A5 strain was conserved. Conclusions The CV-A2 strain in Changsha City shared genome sequence information with CV-A4, and the CV-A5 strain was imported from abroad. Our findings are expected to understand the molecular and recombination characteristics of CV-A2 and CV-A5, provided the data of evolution and genetic features of the coxsackievirus, and interrupt disease transmission in a timely and effective manner.
ABSTRACT
Formononetin is a kind of plant isoflavones extracted from medicinal herbs such as Trifolium pratense，Astragalus membranaceus and Spatholobi Caulis have shown that formononetin has strong anti-tumor biological activity，and can be used as an anti-tumor drug in the treatment of various malignant tumors. Many studies so far have shown that formononetin can inhibit cell proliferation，induce cell apoptosis，inhibit cell migration and invasion，and induce cell cycle arrest on tumors through a variety of molecular mechanisms and pathways. These antitumor activities can be observed in cells of various tumors such as breast cancer，colorectal cancer，prostate cancer，bladder cancer and lung cancer in trials and animal models. Examples of these effects include triggering the generation of reactive oxygen species （ROS），regulating phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin（PI3K/Akt/mTOR） and Mitogen-activated protein kinases（MAPK） signaling pathways，inhibiting the activation of tyrosine kinase（JAK1 and JAK2 ）and nonreceptor tyrosine kinase（c-Src），and regulating cytokeratin 19（CK19），matrix metalloproteinases（MMP），microRNA-21（miR-21），lamin A/C antibody（Lamin A/C），expression of Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E1. In addition， the anti-tumor effects of formononetin derivatives were reviewed in this paper. By modifying the chemical structure of formononetin，many related derivatives have been obtained. Experimental results have shown that some derivatives of formononetin have stronger anti-tumor activity and lower cytotoxicity，but the related molecular mechanism of action still needs to be explored further in-depth. In conclusion，formononetin and its derivatives may become potential anti-tumor drugs.
ABSTRACT
Uterine leiomyoma （UL）， the most common benign tumor of the reproductive system in women of childbearing age， is characterized by clinical symptoms such as increased menstrual flow， prolonged menstrual period， breast tenderness，backache， lower abdominal pain and mass in the lower abdomen. With the continuous progress of modern society， the age of women's marriage and childbirth is gradually pushed back， which to a certain extent has led to an increase in the probability of modern women suffering from UL. Relevant literature shows that the incidence of UL is about 70%， and 25%-50% of the patients have clinical symptoms， seriously endangering women's physical health. The prevention and treatment of UL by modern medicine is currently limited to two aspects： drug control of estrogen and progesterone levels and surgical removal. Traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）has shown obvious advantages in improving the clinical symptoms of UL patients， with very broad application prospects as it can regulate body's Qi and blood on the basis of syndrome differentiation， treatment and overall concepts. Lichongtang， as a famous TCM prescription for replenishing Qi， activating blood and removing blood stasis， was created by ZHANG Xi-chun， a famous Chinese medicine doctor in the Qing dynasty， and recorded in the Records of Tradition Chinese and Western Medicine in Combination. It is widely used in the field of gynecological diseases in clinical practice. Studies have shown that Lichongtang is effective in treating UL. Clinical observations show that Lichongtang can significantly relieve the clinical symptoms of UL patients such as prolonged menstrual period， dysmenorrhea， waist and abdomen swelling and irregular vaginal bleeding， with the characteristics of stable curative effect， high safety， less side effect and low recurrence rate. The experimental results show that Lichongtang has a comprehensive regulatory effect on UL through inhibiting the proliferation of UL cells and inducing apoptosis， reducing serum estrogen and progesterone level， regulating the apoptosis pathway of tumor cells， and promoting the degradation of extracellular matrix（ECM）. After retrieval in PubMed， CNKI and other databases， the authors made a review by summarizing the theories， clinical efficacy and action mechanisms of Lichongtang in the treatment of UL， in order to provide reference for the follow-up in-depth study of pharmacological mechanism of Lichongtang and its further clinical application and promotion.
ABSTRACT
AIMS@#This study focused on the newest evidence of the relationship between forest environmental exposure and human health and assessed the health efficacy of forest bathing on the human body as well as the methodological quality of a single study, aiming to provide scientific guidance for interdisciplinary integration of forestry and medicine.@*METHOD@#Through PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, 210 papers from January 1, 2015, to April 1, 2019, were retrieved, and the final 28 papers meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the study.@*RESULT@#The methodological quality of papers included in the study was assessed quantitatively with the Downs and Black checklist. The methodological quality of papers using randomized controlled trials is significantly higher than that of papers using non-randomized controlled trials (p < 0.05). Papers included in the study were analyzed qualitatively. The results demonstrated that forest bathing activities might have the following merits: remarkably improving cardiovascular function, hemodynamic indexes, neuroendocrine indexes, metabolic indexes, immunity and inflammatory indexes, antioxidant indexes, and electrophysiological indexes; significantly enhancing people's emotional state, attitude, and feelings towards things, physical and psychological recovery, and adaptive behaviors; and obvious alleviation of anxiety and depression.@*CONCLUSION@#Forest bathing activities may significantly improve people's physical and psychological health. In the future, medical empirical studies of forest bathing should reinforce basic studies and interdisciplinary exchange to enhance the methodological quality of papers while decreasing the risk of bias, thereby raising the grade of paper evidence.
ABSTRACT
·AIM: To investigate the anti - aging effect and its potential mechanisms of simvastatin on retinas of physiological aging rats.·METHODS:Totally 40 three-month old healthy SD rats which had no eye diseases, were randomly assigned into two groups: simvastatin group ( n = 20 ) and control group ( n=20 ) . All rats were cultivated under the same conditions until they were nine - month old when interventions started to be given. Simvastatin group was given intragastric administration of 5mg/kg simvastatin every day until 17-month old. Control group was given intragastric administration of same amount of saline gavage. Retinal thickness was measured by HE staining, while Cu - Zn - SOD, NOX2, Bcl - 2 and Bax were determined by immunohistochemistry ( IHC) .·RESULTS:HE staining showed that the retinal structure was clearer; the morphology of cell was more homogeneous;the number of cells was more stable and the structure of retinal pigment epithelium was more compact when compared with control group. Thickness of retinal neuroepithelium layer and retinal pigment epithelium increased significantly in the simvastatin group. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the expressions of Cu - Zn - SOD and Bax statistically increased while the NOX2, Bcl-2 as well as Bcl-2/Bax decreased in simvastatin group when compared with control group (P<0. 05).·CONCLUSION: Simvastatin plays a protective role in retinal aging by decreasing oxidative stress reaction and promoting cell apoptosis.
ABSTRACT
To optimize the matrix formulation of Chaizhi cataplasma (CC) and investigate its release and transdermal absorption properties in vitro. The optimized matrix formulation of cataplasma containing liquid herbal extract is determined by using D-optimal mixture design, with initial bonding strength, endurance bonding strength and gel strength as the evaluating indicators. Modified Franz diffusion cells were used to study the in vitro release and transdermal absorption of geniposide in CC. The optimized matrix formulation of CC contained NP700, aluminum glycinate, tartaric acid, glycerin, PVPK90 and water (9∶0.7∶0.8∶30∶5∶30.5). Cumulative release rate of geniposide in CC was (77.02±3.73)% in 24 h. The percutaneous penetration rate of geniposide was 7.25 μg•cm⁻²•h⁻¹ and the 24 h permeated amount was (156.22±4.90) μg•cm⁻². The optimized CC prepared by the D-optimal mixture design showed a good adhesion and formability. The in vitro release of the geniposide in CC was in accordance with the first order equation, while its in vitro transdermal absorption was close to the zero order equation.
ABSTRACT
Background Researching the pathological characteristics and components of cells in internal limiting membrane of idiopathic macular hole (IMH) has an important clinical significance for the prevention of IMH.However,the study results are still disputable.Objective This study was to investigate the histopathological features of internal limiting membrane of IMH and the types of cells inside it, and explore the pathomechanism of IMH.Methods Seven specimens of internal limiting membrane were obtained during the vitrectomy with IMH patients in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from February 2012 to August 2013 under the informed consent of patients.The histopathological examination was performed for the structural observation and cellular identification of internal limiting membrane.The expression and location of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), CD45 and CD44 in internal limiting membrane were examined by using immunochemistry and immunofluorescence technology.Results All the seven specimens showed continuous undulating membrane with red staining.Two specimens appeared to be uniform in thickness and few cells were distributed in the specimens.The internal limiting membranes were uneven in thickness in the other specimens with retinal pigment epithelial cells,neuroglia cells,fibrocytes,macrophages and lymphocytes in them.Immunochemistry showed the positive expression of GFAP in the outer layer of the specimens.CD45 positive cells were detected in the internal limiting membranes, and CD44 was detected in the inner layer of the specimens.Conclusions Few cells exist in the internal limiting memranes of IMH.However,neuroglia cells and CD45 positive cells emerge in the internal limiting memranes of stage 3 or above IMH eyes, indicating the proliferation of cells and immuno-inflammation response exist during the IMH development.The up-regulation of CD44 expression promotes inflammatory response of internal limiting memranes.
ABSTRACT
Background Recent studies indicated that human amnion mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) can be induced to differentiate into multiple types of cells in vitro,but whether the hAMSCs can differentiate into ocular surface cells has not been reported yet.Objective This study was to investigate the feasibility of inducing differentiation of hAMSCs into ocular surface cells by co-culturing with human bulbar conjunctiva fibroblasts (hBCFs).Methods This study was approved by Ethic Committee of Affiliated Second Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University.HAMSCs were isolated from placenta under the informed consent of healthy delivery women.hAMSCs were cultured,passaged and identified by detecting the expressions of CD44,CD45,CD73,CD90 in the cells with flow cytometer,osteogenesis and adipogenic differentiation experiments.Human conjunctival tissue was obtained during the eye operation under the informed consent of patients and hBCFs were isolated and cultured with explant culture.The cells were divided into the hAMSCs culture group and the hAMSCs and hBCFs co-culture group and cultivated in Transwell chambers for 7 days.The expressions of cytokeratin 19 (CK19) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the cells were assayed by immnofluorescence technique.Results Cultured hAMSCs showed the slender shape and cell body enlarged with passage.CD44,CD73 and CD90 were expressed in the cells,and the expression of CD45 was absent.After 3-4 weeks of osteogenesis and adipogenic induce,the cells showed red staining for alizarin and oil red O.In the co-culture group of hAMSCs and hBCFs,hAMSCs presented the epithelioid cell-like in shape and showed the positive response for CK19 and weaker response for α-SMA.However,in the hAMSCs culture group,the cells showed the positive response for α-SMA and absent response for CK19.Conclusions The hAMSCs can differentiate into ocular surface cells after being induced by hBCFs.And the differentiation mechanism is possibly relevant to mesenchymal cells epithelium.
ABSTRACT
Using the qualified rates of particles as the evaluation indexes, the impact tactors of one-step pelletization technology of Jiuwei Xifeng granules were selected from six factors by the Plackett-Burman experimental design and the levels of non-significant factors were identified. According to the Plackett-Burman experimental design, choosing the qualified rates of particles and angle of repose as the evaluation indexes, three levels of the three factors were selected by Box-Behnken of central composite design to optimize the experimental. The best conditions were as follows: the fluid extract was sprayed with frequency of 29 r . min-1, inlet air temperature was 90 °C, the frequency of fan was 34 Hz. Under the response surface methodology optimized scheme, the average experimental results are similar to the predicted values, and surface methodology could be used in the optimization of one-step pelletization for Chinese materia medica.
Subject(s)
Air Movements , Analysis of Variance , Drug Compounding , Methods , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Chemistry , Hot Temperature , Models, Theoretical , Research Design , TabletsABSTRACT
To prepare Zhitong micro-emulsion in this study, with the empirical formula of Zhitong preparation as the model medicine, the essential oil in the formula as the oil phase, and the water decoction as the water phase. The types of surfactant and co-surfactant were investigated. The changes in micro-emulsion conductivity and construction, the water percentage in the micro-emulsion system, the changing curve of conductivity and the fine pseudo-ternary phase diagram of micro-emulsion were drawn to determine the surfactant-co-surfactant mass ratio (K(m)). Subsequently, the D-mixture design was used to optimize Zhitong Micro-emulsion formula, with particle size and surface tension of micro-emulsion as the indexes. Finally, efforts were made to determine part of physical parameters of Zhitong micro-emulsion and preliminarily detect its stability. The results showed that the micro-emulsion was optimal with the EL-35-tween 20 ratio of 4:1 in surfactant, whereas the absolute ethyl alcohol was recommended as the co-surfactant. The ratio between surfactant and co-surfactant (K(m)) was 1.5. The finalized micro-emulsion formula contains 12% surfactant, 8% co-surfactant, 70% 1 g x mL(-1) water decoction and 8% oil. The results of the preliminary stability experiment showed a better stability of Zhitong micro-emulsion.
Subject(s)
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical , Methods , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Chemistry , Emulsions , Surface-Active Agents , Chemistry , TemperatureABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Killing of targeted tumors during adoptive cell transfer therapy is associated with cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) numbers, immunophenotype, tumor-specificity, and in vivo residence time, migration, and distribution. Therefore, tracing in vivo persistence, migration, and distribution of CTLs is important for cancer immunotherapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Optimal staining concentration for CTL proliferation was determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and killing efficiencies of CTLs or carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE)-labeled melanoma antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CFSE-CTLs) for malignant melanoma cells in vitro were compared. Additionally, CFSE-CTLs were intravenously transfused to mice receiving B16 melanoma, and their residence time, migration, and distribution in vivo were observed by measuring fluorescence intensities of CFSE-CTLs per gram of tissue (%FI/g) in various tissues and analyzing tumor/non-tumor (T/NT) values. Anti-tumor effects of transferred CTLs and correlation between %FI/g and D-value of tumor size were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Five-micromolar CFSE was optimal for labeling CTLs with minimal cytotoxicity. No significant difference occurred between CTLs and CFSE-CTLs for tumor cell killing (P = 0.849) or interleukin-2 (P = 0.318) and interferon-γ (P = 0.201) levels. Distribution of CTLs in vivo varied with time. A negative correlation between %FI/g in tumors and D-value of tumor sizes by Spearman correlation analysis was observed. CTLs were recruited to and killed tumors from 6 hours to 3 days after cell infusion. CTLs were observed up to three weeks later in the tumor, liver, kidneys, and spleen; this was related to the abundant blood supply or the nature of immune organs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CCK-8 assay is a novel method to select optimal CFSE staining concentrations. Fluorescence intensity of transferred CTLs reflects their killing efficiency of tumors. CFSE fluorescent markers can trace in vivo CTL persistence, migration, and distribution because of its stability, long half-life, and low toxicity.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Humans , Mice , Adoptive Transfer , Antigens, Neoplasm , Allergy and Immunology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Movement , Fluoresceins , Fluorescent Dyes , Lymphocyte Activation , Melanoma, Experimental , Allergy and Immunology , Therapeutics , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Staining and Labeling , Succinimides , T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic , Allergy and ImmunologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the platelet inhibition efficacy in patients under regular maintenance dose of clopidogrel by VerifyNow-P2Y12 assay and explore the clinical characteristics of clopidogrel non-responders and related predicting factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 99 patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention procedure and receiving clopidogrel in regular maintenance dose for at least 1 week were enrolled. Platelet reactivity, including baseline, P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU), and platelet inhibition rate were measured with VeifyNow-P2Y12 assay. The dosage of anti-platelet drugs, combination with any other drugs, clinical characters in baseline of all enrolled patients were analyzed. PRU ≤ 240 was used as cut-off to identify clopidogrel responder and clopidogrel non-responder. In the non-responder group, patients were further separated into 3 sub-groups (types) according to the baseline and platelet inhibition rate: type I with high baseline, high inhibition rate, representing false non-responder; type II with low inhibition rate, representing true non-responder and type III mixed type.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In this study, 48 of 99 patients were found to be clopidogrel non-responder (48.5%). The ratio of type I, type II and type III in the non-responder group was 9.1% (n = 9), 27.3% (n = 27), and 12.1% (n = 12), respectively. Baseline platelet value in female patients was significantly higher than in males (P < 0.01), number of females with high PRU also is higher than males (P < 0.01), female gender was a predict factor for type I non-responder (OR = 6.5, 95%CI 2.295 - 18.407, P < 0.01). BMI > 24 kg/m(2) was a risk factor for clopidogrel non-responder (P < 0.05), and may be regarded as a predict factor for type II non-responder (OR = 3.207, 95%CI 1.375 - 7.485, P < 0.01). Age, hypertension, diabetics, smoking, hyperlipidemia, CRP and pantoprazole use do not show significant correlation with baseline and platelet inhibition rate.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Clopidogrel responses could be reliably detected by VerifyNow-P2Y12 assay. Female gender and high body weight are independent risk factors for clopidogrel non-responses.</p>